Bodhisattva Vadana Kalpalata And The Saddantavadana

Author(s): J W De Jong
Publisher: J W De Jong

Page 8

34
The Bodhisattvāvadānakalpalatā and the Saddantāvadāna The king married her. She asked him for a seat made from the tusks of Şaddanta. The king summoned an old hunter, who tried to dissuade him from killing Saddanta
because he was a Bodhisattva. 124-143: The old hunter persuaded the king, but Bhadrā insisted
on her wish. The king summoned another hunter, who
declared himself willing to kill Şaddanta. . 144-161: Dressed in a yellow robe, the hunter was seen by
Subhadrā. She told the king (Saddanta] that she was frightened, but the king explained that she had nothing to fear from someone who wears a yellow robe. He had just spoken these words when the hunter pierced him with a poisoned arrow. Subhadrā fainted, but Şaddanta consoled her and asked the hunter why he wanted to kill
him. 162-165: The hunter explained that Queen Bhadrā desired a seat
made from his tusks. Şaddanta arrived at the conclusion that he must give his tusks to the hunter, because it was impossible to disappoint someone who came with a request. He broke off his tusks against a mountain. Five hundred elephants arrived, but Șaddanta protected the hunter with his
chest and sent him back with his tusks. 185-189: The hunter brought the tusks to the king, who recom
pensed him with gold. He sent him back to his own house. Suddenly both his hands were cut off and fell on
the ground. 190: Bhadrā mounted the seat made from the tusks. Saying “I
am burnt,” she fell into Hell. 191-192: Brahmadatta's kingdom was destroyed by terrible
plagues. 193-198: The dramatis personnae are identified. Şaddanta = the
Buddha; Bhadrā = Cañcāmānavikā; the hunter = Devadatta' the other elephants = monks. There are two verses on the evil behaviour of women. In the last verse the Buddha proclaims that one must speak the truth, refrain from inflicting injuries, and concentrate on śānti.